Authorities in Oakland confirmed that a city-issued SUV used by Mayor Barbara Lee (D) was stolen Monday after someone broke into her City Hall office and took the vehicle keys, according to police union officials.
The Ford Expedition, used for official mayoral duties, was recovered Tuesday in Vallejo, about 25 miles from Oakland, but no arrests have been made.
The theft comes just weeks after Mayor Lee highlighted reported declines in certain crime categories across Oakland in 2025, a timing that has intensified scrutiny over public safety and City Hall’s security.
“If this can happen to the Mayor, it can happen to any resident or city employee,” said Sam Singer, spokesman for the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA), calling the incident a stark reminder of the city’s escalating crime problem.
Investigators say the suspect gained access to Lee’s office over the Presidents’ Day holiday, when City Hall was largely unoccupied.
According to KQED, surveillance footage shows the individual removing the SUV keys and driving the vehicle out of the City Hall garage before heading north toward Vallejo. Authorities have a warrant for a suspect and are actively following leads.
Mayor Lee issued a brief statement Wednesday acknowledging the investigation but declining to provide additional details.
“As with criminal cases such as this, the Oakland Police Department is actively investigating, and we cannot comment further at this time,” she said. “No one in Oakland should have to worry about their car being stolen, whether they’re a resident, a city worker, or the Mayor. Public safety is a priority across our entire city”
The theft has reignited questions about security protocols at City Hall.
While the city contracts a private firm to monitor the building, union officials and local media reports indicate that gaps were exposed during the holiday, when the office was largely empty.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and evaluating potential improvements, though no official changes have been announced, according to The Washington Times.
This is not the first time high-ranking Oakland officials have fallen victim to property crimes.
In 2023, former Mayor Sheng Thao’s car was broken into during a documentary premiere near Lake Merritt.
That same year, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price had a laptop stolen from her work vehicle outside the Family Justice Center.
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about how effectively city leaders and law enforcement protect public property.
Even though the SUV has been recovered, the theft has prompted renewed criticism of Oakland’s crime management.
The timing, following Mayor Lee’s statements touting declines in crime, has drawn particular attention.
“This says a lot about how bad crime in Oakland really is—when the mayor’s office is broken into, her car is stolen and dumped in Vallejo. Everybody is at risk,” Singer added.
Social media users reacted quickly, highlighting the irony.
“Yeah… how’s that ‘Defund The Police’ thing working out?” the Blue Lives Matter account wrote on X.
Another X user wrote, “They stole the mayor’s car!! It’s like, how much more on point can you get?”
One added sarcastically, “Let me guess! She called the police to report it!” while another noted, “Sometimes the jokes tell themselves.”
The posts have drawn widespread attention, sparking conversations about public safety, City Hall security, and whether city officials are adequately addressing crime.
Authorities continue to investigate, reviewing surveillance footage and other leads to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Mayor Lee’s office reiterated that public safety remains a top priority across the city, promising that measures are being evaluated to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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